OCM elections: Tunku Imran offers words of wisdom

OLYMPIC Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar has reminded challengers who are taking on the current office bearers that time, commitment and a certain level of calibre are essential in running the association.

Tunku Imran will be challenged for the president's post by former Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim at OCM's biennial elections on Saturday.

Although Tunku Imran has been careful not to direct his comments at anyone in particular, Shahidan is the only candidate who presently helms several national and state sports associations.

Shahidan is the president of the Malaysian AAU (MAAU), Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM), Kabaddi Association of Malaysia and the Perlis Football Association.

"Talking about OCM generally, it takes a lot of time and commitment as well as calibre. This is because you have to represent the country at international level and so far, our (current office bearers) contribution has been huge," said Tunku Imran.
"Those people who are going to stand (for elections), must bear these factors in mind. I'm not quite sure if it's a serious challenge or not."

Shahidan was also nominated in 2007 but decided to withdraw a week before the elections but he is not expected to do so this time.

Tunku Imran's exposure at international level could give him the edge in the elections, and Shahidan, should he decide to contest, will face his toughest challenge yet as a sports administrator.